Golf simulator play heats up in wintertime

Published
5:43 am EST, Wednesday, February 8, 2012

THOMAS SIMONETTI | tsimonetti@mdn.netGolf balls are hit into a screen on the indoor golf simulator at Big Al’s Golf in Midland. After each shot, a readout gives golfers an idea how well the ball was hit.

THOMAS SIMONETTI | tsimonetti@mdn.netGolf balls are hit into a screen on the indoor golf simulator at Big Al’s Golf in Midland. After each shot, a readout gives golfers an idea how well the ball was hit.

Photo: Thomas Simonetti

Photo: Thomas Simonetti

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THOMAS SIMONETTI | tsimonetti@mdn.netGolf balls are hit into a screen on the indoor golf simulator at Big Al’s Golf in Midland. After each shot, a readout gives golfers an idea how well the ball was hit.

THOMAS SIMONETTI | tsimonetti@mdn.netGolf balls are hit into a screen on the indoor golf simulator at Big Al’s Golf in Midland. After each shot, a readout gives golfers an idea how well the ball was hit.

Photo: Thomas Simonetti

Golf simulator play heats up in wintertime

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Want to play the Old Course at St. Andrews or Torrey Pines? Instead of jetting to Scotland or California golfers can now take a quick trip to Big Al’s Golf and enjoy those courses on the indoor golf simulator.

“Not only can players play 15 different courses, the simulator will analyze your swing, fit clubs and allow you to play in leagues and contests.”

For $40 per hour, golfers can play courses such as Bay Hill, Pinehurst No. 2, Firestone Country Club or Harbour Town Golf Links along with a couple of par-three courses to improve their short game. Should golfers desire, they can improve their game on the driving range, practice area or putting green.

“(The fee) is split among as many people as you want,” said Osburn. “It takes a typical foursome two hours to play nine holes, which is $20 per nine holes.”

Located at 1011 Commerce Drive, just north of the Midland Mall off Eastman Road, Big Al’s also offers the simulator as a way of raising money for local non-profit organizations.

“We do a lot of fundraisers on it because we know that a lot of the charities around here are looking for something new and something fresh,” said Osburn. “When you hold a fundraiser here, we donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the simulator or the range to the organization on that day. All they have to do is call (989-631-9880).”

The Midland High boys’ and girls’ golf teams have been the beneficiary of Big Al’s generosity.

“Big Al’s has been the Chemics boys’ and girls’ golf teams biggest non-school supporter,” said Chemics’ coach Jeff Babin. “With budget cuts, it has become difficult scheduling a competitive schedule and buying much-needed equipment. This is the second year we’ve had the “range day” at Big Al’s with huge success.”

For Babin, the assistance from Big Al’s just begins with the fundraiser.

“(Al Osburn) is a strong supporter of junior golf,” said Babin. “He allows us to have our Chemics junior golf camp there during the summer and gives great advice and prices to our kids. We also hold our spring tryouts out there in March. Frankly, I’m not sure what we would do without Big Al’s. Big Al and his staff have greatly contributed to our recent success.”

Not only have juniors benefited, but players from ages 4 to 89 have enjoyed the different features of the simulator, such as a power boost that dramatically increases the length of shots.

“Because we can set a power boost on the simulator, the 4-year-old was outdriving his dad,” said Osburn. “The 4-year-old kid was loving it and the dad didn’t know we did it either. That was a lot of fun. It’s great because we can have families come out and have fun.”

When the temperature drops and the snow starts falling things really start heating up on the simulator.

“During the summertime we actually do quite a few fittings for drivers and irons,” said Osburn. “But, come the wintertime, you need to call about a week ahead to get a tee time.”

And that’s just fine with two-handicap Mark Mulka, who comes in about two or three times a week to keep his game honed.

“It’s always warm in here and you’ll never lose a golf ball,” laughed Mulka. “It’s a great teaching tool and a lot of fun to play. You can still play like you’re playing outside.”

Casual golfer Paul Drzewicki also was recently out enjoying time on the simulator.

“I probably use it a couple of times a month,” he said. “I just like to get out and stay loose in the winter time. Whether it’s a good practice session or a bad practice session, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s just a chance to hit some balls. I enjoy the fact that I can watch the ball flight and see where it goes and get some feedback.”

“There is nobody that comes here that wants to hit the ball shorter,” laughed Ankenbrandt. “As an instructor, you never hear anybody say, ‘I’m hitting the ball too far or too consistent. Will you mess me up?’”

The simulator gives the golfer all the pertinent numbers to improve their game, such as how far the ball carried, the total yardage, club head speed, back spin speed, ball speed and launch.

“It answers the questions that golfers cannot find when they are hitting balls outside,” said Ankenbrandt. “Everybody that comes here says, ‘I need to hit it farther, so I need to increase my club head speed.’ The big number is the differential between the club head speed and the ball speed, which is going to dictate the distance. It’s not how fast you hit it, but how solid you hit it.”

Golfers can compete in contests such as longest drive, closest to the pin, high stakes skins, match play or scramble. A golfer can even program in a certain distance where they might be struggling.

“The simulator shows the flight of ball, trajectory of the ball and line of ball,” said Ankenbrandt. “It will also show you reverse angle, how the ball is coming in, so you can see where the ball hits and rolls.”

Seeing Mulka and Drzewicki enjoy their time at Big Al’s is just fine with Osburn.

“I enjoy making golf fun again,” he said. “We want this to be a friendly atmosphere, because golf is not intimidating. Once you give it a try, you’ll love it.”